Iím on the lookout for something different; something big. Iím waiting to embrace change as enthusiastically as Iíd embrace the return of the buoyancy of my breasts at 20.

Trade Winds

You see, I havenít felt very connected as of late. Hell, I havenít felt connected for a good seven plus years. Itís more like Iíve been sort of floating around, willy-nilly, on a trade wind from the Caribbean. But, you know that feeling Iím talking about, right? When you feel that indescribable joy, feeling of connection, and clarity of purpose and path in every bone in your body; when you just know youíre onto something big and it swells you, you feel lighter, and you physically see more clearly?

I was talking with a friend about this feeling of connectedness recently. I told him that I havenít felt that feeling since I moved to Cleveland. I was trying to noodle out with him what that was about. I think it started with an emergency surgery I had for†my Stage IV Endometriosis. I was married to a wonderful man but we had nothing to work toward together. We didnít have much in common, we were just sort of going through the motions of existence, neither happy, nor sad, but simply content and comfortable. I hadnít been happy for the last six years of my marriage. I think that surgery, and subsequent recovery, awoke something within me Ė a will to live; a will for more than just existence and comfort. I left my 10-year marriage, I left my family and friends, I left my home and traipsed across the country with 30 boxes of books, a twin mattress, and a couple of bookshelves. I had never felt more alive. Itís as if my vision, normally 20/40 had returned to 20/20. Iíd never felt more clearly set upon my path nor more full of joy.

Blowiní About

It lasted for a good three years too. During that time I traveled to Europe, New York City, South Beach, Folly Beach, Ottawa, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Pennsylvania and a few places I canít even remember. I dove out of a plane. I learned to snowboard. I got up on a surf board. I went to hundreds of concerts and met thousands of people. Literally.

What my friend and I decided was that when youíre taking risks, when youíre stepping out of your comfort zone, youíre naturally more connected. When youíre shaking things up in your life youíre truly living in the NOW. Youíre not focusing on the past or the future. I challenge you to take your first dive out of an airplane while retaining thoughts of Aunt Hester smacking you as a child with her bejeweled ruby handbag. Itís not possible.

Itís the same for travel. When youíre in a wholly new environment youíre bombarded with new senses and sensations; things youíve never seen, heard, or felt. Itís difficult to focus on the mundane or worry the past or future when youíre in a new setting. I think this may be why folks are addicted to extreme sports. Who has time to worry about the state of their stocks and the market when theyíre barreling down a mountain on a piece of wood?

There are other ways to stay in the NOW but my meditation pillow is musty and Iím no Deepak Chopra. Yet.

OH welcome to MIDLIFE CRISIS! you got out of prison now you are flying high..ENJOY THAT RIDE..I keep my husband grounded or his head will get unscrewed!My father in law has tatoo..it is all faded and wrinkled you have to stretch it out to read it...so hint ...hint...take the picture now of your tattoo.....REBIRTH!

Having worked in four different countries around the globe - and now in the Tropics - I can't say that my life was or is stale, stagnant or boring. Best thing is that my wife shared all these changes. Latest travels were in Asia, South West Africa - just before that in the Red Centre of Australia...all good to get any cobwebs out of your head. But mediation is definitely something to try: it grows on you and energy levels increase, mood improves. Ink my skin? No. Go solo in a glider? Yes, did it. Jump off a cliff face with a Bird Suit? No. Do a Firewalk with bare feet? Yes, did it. Get bored? Never - too many good books about. Yoga retreat? Sounds like a good idea! C u there!